Improvement of the Lumbar Burden Reduction, and Influence on Lumbar Joint Stiffness by the Personalized Variable Tightening Force Control of Active Corset

Abstract

This research aims to personalize the dynamic tightening control by Active Corset, which is the low back pain prevention tool, to each individual. The standard tightening force control based on the average tendency of subjects was modified based on the height, weight, and age, which is considered to be one of the individual differences in the assisting effect of pelvic tightening. We derived model formula for personalize the tightening force control by a hearing survey that 12 subjects joined. In order to verify the assisting effect of the personalized control law, we conducted a motion measurement experiment on 64 subjects. As a result, we confirmed that the lumbar burden was more reduced by using personalized tightening control in the majority of the subjects as compared with the case of using standard tightening control. In addition, by evaluating the joint stiffness, we confirmed that the lumbar burden can be further reduced by increasing the lumbar joint stiffness in the initial stage of motion.